Real Housewives of New Jersey's Ashley Holmes: My Parents Are Not Arsonists!

Is Matt Holmes to blame for Ashley's antics?

Just when we were starting to think that Ashley Holmes’
father was a pretty reasonable guy who could set a good example for his wayward daughter .

Reports have surfaced that John Madison “Matt” Holmes --
father of The Real Housewives of New Jersey’s resident bad girl -- and his wife,
Jodie Sue Holmes, were arrested and charged with arson, insurance fraud and
money laundering earlier this summer.

After a fire destroyed the couple’s Texas home in March,
Holmes allegedly told the fire marshall Investigator that he was at the house
roughly 30 - 45 minutes before firefighters were called, dropping off supplies for contractors who were working on remodeling the residence. But later, a "credible witness"
came forward, claiming that Holmes started the fire himself, dousing three rooms with kerosene and
gas.

Holmes received a check in the amount of $429,000 from the
insurance company, but according to police, both Matt and Jodi planned the
arson, then used the money to pay for things like plastic surgery, a $40,000 diamond
ring, and more.

Fire Marshall Investigator Ken Dabbs is currently working
with the FBI on the case, but by Ashley’s account, her parents are not guilty of any wrongdoing.

“FYI- my parents have NOT been indicted.. this whole thing
was started by a disgruntled employee..they are INNOCENT &that’s all i have
to say,” the 20-year-old tweeted.

Matt and Jodi Holmes were released on bail -- $225,000 and
$75,000 respectively -- shortly after their arrest.

The couple was recently featured on Bravo’s Real Housewives
of New Jersey, as they attempted to help Ashley’s mother, Jacqueline Lauritas,
get her on the right path.

Ashley has since moved out of her mother's house and to her own apartment in California (gasp!). Success?!

Shayla C. Perry is a freelance journalist based in New York. In addition to interviewing some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry, and covering the latest in celebrity news & gossip, her forte (read: obsession) is examining the sensationalism, gall, and sheer genius of reality TV.